The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-13
FOR THE HOUSEHOLD.
Preparing for . Guest.

Preparing for . Guest
Written for the Journal by Fanny E. Eewberry.
Perhaps your expected guest is an old school
friend, towards whom you wish to show all
courtesy while impressing her with the fact OF
your well-reeulated house. Urged on by these
laudable desires, be careful that you do not
rather present her with false picture of your
home life which shall be as uncomfortable as it is
unnatural Because. for instance, your friend
may live in the city, where, by the nature of
things. she is obliged to have late dinners. it is
not necessary to upset your husbands business
arrangements, the children's digestions and the
cooks temper by delaying your o'clock dinner
till g. The consequences of this domestic upheaval
will be apparent every hour of the day; your
guest will see them and be made uncomfortable.
your cook will make the change of
base an excuse for every neglect,
while you. in trying to remedy
these, Will become tired and irritable, to say
nothing Of being obliged to cancel pleasant en-
gagements in order to attend to home matters
In 3 word. you will make yourself world Of
extra trouble and fail entirely of your purpose
to make your guest feel at homes The fact is
that, ten to one, she does not wish to feel at
home, IN just that way. This very trip may
have been taken in hopes of entire change, not
only of air and scene, but OF household ways
There comes to every one at times, especially it
she is very domestic home-keeper. such
WEAKNESS of her own WAYS and distaste for her
own food that her stated organism needs com
plete change II in seeking this she finds only
an imperfect imitation OF the methods she has
left behind, she feels a disappointment that act
ually clouds her visit.
l. The temporary change to an early dinner and
different diet may have been exactly what her
sick stomach craved, and your alteration of
household arrangements has thus prevented her
from experiencing the benefit she desired. Let
m 6PaW m aY-
perience.
Our breakfast being a late affair. is rather a
formal meal, at which all the family are present,
requiring the heusekeepers strict attention. SO.
naturally, have always had ''hankerng for
an informal lettering in an easy-chair over my
coffee and the morning paper Imagine. then,
my feelings when. upon visiting an artist friend,
his wife remarked as we were about separating
for the night:
Now. John, do get up tomorrow so that we
can breakfast together like Christians Do you
know turning to mel we have dreadfully
loose way OF eating that meal here-a sort of go
as-you-piease arrangeuens-which permits each
one to take it just 3Ehen, where and how he
chooses
"Oh!r cried l. sits just what longed for all
| my life! Don't, please don't try to change it in
| the least!"-and really, my most delightful
| remembrances of that visit are of those Bohe-
milan morning meals, eaten sometimes with a
| companion two, oftener with only the daily
Journal for company, toastine my feet, and
and helping myself from the freshly filed tray
| beside me.
Granting, then, that the family life should go
on in its usual groove. there still some care
| fui arrangements that can never be amiss in the
| preparation for visitors and among the first in
| importance are those pertaining to the guest
| chamber.
This room is. of course. as neat and well-fur-
nished as your means will allow, but there are
| special comforts which will occur only to loving
| care and forethought. If there is no bathroom
adjoining. there should be an album
dance OF water, towels and nd, sponges
accessories dear to every feminine heart, lest by
| some mischance she may have forgotten her
| own. But, in addition to the toilet bottles, we
| must not forget the camphor and cordials, which
| sudden illness may require-and have every
| bottle plainly labeled. Many guest has sufferd
| the long night through for the lack of some
| simple remedy which she would not disturb her
| hostess to procure, and one that know of was
| nearly maddened with pain by mistaking an un
| labeled bottle of ammonia for cologne.
! If there is only one bathroom in the house
| let ner room be furnished with foot-bath, a,
least, in case she should not care to run the
! gauntlet to- the family tub.
| These toilet matters all carefully looked to-
have, if possible, one table in the room solid
| enough to write upon, and provided with every
| material for that purpose A sleepless fit may
! often be agreeably passed by inditing long neg
| lected letter, and the sweet sense of duty per
| formed will often WOO back the reluctant god Of
dreams. shelf or two of books above it viii
not come amiss, especially if they contain hall
dozen crisp, fresh novels, one two books o.
travel and adventure, or an essay from some
genial pen--anything that will fill up that blank
half hour before breakfast. and. perhaps, strike
harmonious keynote for the day.
Then give her all the closet and bureau room
possible, so that she may lose that dreary ant
unsettled feeling Of living in a trunk; and, abov,
all. don't put her in a damp. unaired bed!
Having thus provided for her comfort, do no
try to 'entertain" her. Nothing is so annoyin,
as to be constantly made company Of and tina
hour which calls the hostess to some imperative
duty often proves the most enjoyable to tn,
wearied visitor.
Let the new conner slip quietly into the famil,
| mechanism without being conscious OF the leas
jar or stran let her feel at all times that she i
a comfort rather than a care. and you will hav
secured her delightful visit and spared yoursel
much WEAKNESS and worry.
| Miscellaneous Suggestions.